Bertie Thomson

Robert Austin Thomson (12 July 1907 – 17 Sep 1937) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Celtic, Blackpool, Motherwell and Scotland.[1]

For other people with the same name, see Bert Thomson.

Bertie Thomson
Personal information
Full name Robert Austin Thomson
Date of birth 12 July 1907
Place of birth Johnstone, Scotland
Date of death 17 September 1937(1937-09-17) (aged 30)
Place of death Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Outside right
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1926–1929 Glasgow Perthshire
1929–1933 Celtic 113 (23)
1933–1934 Blackpool
1934–1935 Motherwell 8 (1)
International career
1930–1931 Scottish League XI 2 (0)
1931 Scotland 1 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Club

Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Thomson joined Celtic aged 22 from Glasgow Perthshire, traditionally a Junior team but in that era a member of the rival Intermediate Association, a breakaway body protesting the compensatory payments given by senior clubs signing Junior players. With Thomson on an intermediate contract, he and Celtic were taken to court by Perthshire for breach of agreement after his move in 1929.[2]

At Celtic Park, where he was brought in to replace Paddy Connolly as a supplier for prolific goalscorer Jimmy McGrory,[3] Thomson became a popular figure with supporters for his exciting and determined play on the right wing. In the 1931 Scottish Cup Final against Motherwell, his run and cross set up a late equalising goal to force a replay, and in the second match he scored twice in a 4–2 victory.[2][4] He was in the side which won the trophy again in 1933 with a 1–0 win over the same opposition.

However, an excessive lifestyle off the field caused problems with his fitness and form, and a resulting dispute with the club management led to his departure soon after that second cup win.[5] Following a short spell in English football with Blackpool, he returned to Scotland with Motherwell but again suffered from physical problems and retired from the game aged 27.[4]

International

He gained one full cap for Scotland in October 1931, a 3–2 win over Wales in the British Home Championship, in which he scored the second goal.[6] He made his second and last appearance for the Scottish League XI a week later, having first played for them a year earlier.[7]

Death and personal life

Thomson died suddenly from heart failure in 1937, aged 30, leaving a wife and two young children.[2][8]

He was not related to Celtic teammates and fellow Scotland internationals Alec Thomson (an inside forward who was his partner on the right flank in over 100 matches) or John Thomson (a goalkeeper who died from a head injury during a match aged 22).[9]

References
  1. (Smith 2013, p. 275)
  2. Former Celtic Star : Bert Thomson Shock, Evening News, 18 September 1937 (via The Celtic Wiki)
  3. Celtic Cult Heroes (Bertie Thomson), David Potter; eBook Partnership, 2011' ISBN 9781908051318
  4. Bertie Thomson, MotherWELLnet
  5. Famous Scots - Robert Austin Thomson, Find A Grave
  6. Scotland player Bertie Thomson, London Hearts Supporters Club
  7. SFL player Robert Austin Thomson, London Hearts Supporters Club
  8. Death of former Celtic player, The Glasgow Herald, 18 September 1937
  9. On this day in history: Celtic great, Alec Thomson born in 1901, Celtic FC, 14 June 2019
Sources
  • Smith, Paul (2013). Scotland Who's Who. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781909178847.
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